After graduating from Amboy High School in 1950, Otto served our country in the U.S. Army where he fought on the front line during the Korean War. After returning home from the war, Otto began his career in banking via the GI Bill. He worked his way up from a teller to executive vice president at the First National Bank of Amboy and graduated from the University of Wisconsin banking school.
In 1966, he moved his family to Canton when he accepted a position as executive vice president of the Canton State Bank. In 1972, he was promoted to president, a position he held for 23 years until his retirement in 1995. After the bank was destroyed in the 1975 tornado, Otto supervised the temporary relocation of operations to the first floor of the Elks building and the construction of the new building which returned the bank to the Square in 1977.
Otto was, first and foremost, a proud family man. He married Betty (Michel) Stephenitch on November 24, 1956, in their hometown of Amboy, Illinois, and began a tradition of praying the rosary every day of their marriage. Together, they raised two sons, Dan and David, in a home filled with love, laughter, and religion. Otto was a great role model to his sons, teaching them the value of faith, hard work, and the importance of looking for the good in everyone. Betty preceded him in death on December 10, 1993.
Otto was the youngest of seven children and was preceded in death by his five sisters: Catherine Long, Lucille Glaser, Dorothy, Koehler, Elaine Powers, and Marcella Stephenitch and one brother: Harold (Doc) Stephenitch.
Otto married Lois Davis on December 29, 1997. He is survived by his wife Lois; his sons, Daniel (Donna) of Sublette and David of Evanston, Illinois; and his cherished grandchildren, Matthew (Emily) of Sublette, and Michel (Emily) of Clinton, Iowa; and his beloved four great-grandchildren (Mila, Isla, Violet, and Cael).
Otto was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton where he and Lois attended daily mass. He was a former trustee and served on the Church's Finance Committee, reflecting his commitment to stewardship and service. He was a C.C.D. teacher, eucharistic minister, and choir member and was proud of his over fifty-year membership in the Knights of Columbus.
His community involvement extended beyond the church to Meals on Wheels, Canton’s Chamber of Commerce, Canton Community Concert Association, Elks Club, Fulton County Flying Club, YMCA, Lions Club, and the Spoon River College Foundation board of directors. In 1974, he was awarded Canton’s Citizen of the Year for his years of service to the community.
Otto was a life-long Notre Dame and Chicago White Sox fan. He organized annual family trips well into his late eighties to watch the Irish play football in South Bend. Otto fulfilled his dream of becoming a recreational pilot, and his family enjoyed many flights with him in his Cessna 172.
In retirement, Otto enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, playing golf, and took up painting - much to the delight of his family who have numerous pieces of his artwork hanging on the walls of their homes. He and Lois spent winters in Daytona Beach Shores where they were active in their local parish, attended daily mass, and enjoyed golf and walks on the beach.
Otto will be remembered for the way he touched the lives of those around him with his faith, guidance, and love. His family feels blessed for the wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that God gave them and for the many cherished memories they will hold close to their hearts.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton at 11 am with a visitation one hour prior at the church, with Monsignor Timothy Nolan officiating. A memorial mass will also be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10 am at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Amboy with a visitation one hour prior at the church. A burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sublette.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Otto’s honor may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Canton or the American Cancer Society.
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